The phrase "Lord who shall abide to thy tabernacle canticle" is a poetic and slightly rephrased reference to **Psalm 15** in the Bible. Let's break it down: 1. **"Lord who shall abide to thy tabernacle?"** * This is the central question posed in the very first verse of Psalm 15. * Common translations include: * "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" (King James Version) * "LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?" (New International Version) * "LORD, who may sojourn in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?" (English Standard Version) * **Meaning:** This question asks about the kind of person who is worthy to be in God's holy presence, to live in His sacred dwelling place. * **"Tabernacle":** In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle was the portable sanctuary built by the Israelites in the wilderness, where God's presence was said to dwell. Spiritually, it represents God's holy presence, heaven, or a sacred dwelling. * **"Abide" / "Dwell" / "Sojourn":** To live, stay, or reside. 2. **"Canticle"** * A canticle is a hymn or chant, especially one from a biblical text other than the Psalms, or sometimes the Psalms themselves when used liturgically. * Since Psalm 15 is a sacred song often recited or sung as part of worship services (like morning or evening prayer in various Christian traditions), it can certainly be referred to as a canticle in a liturgical context. **In essence, "Lord who shall abide to thy tabernacle canticle" refers to Psalm 15, which is a poetic question and answer about the moral and spiritual qualifications for being in God's holy presence.** **The Core Message of Psalm 15:** After posing the initial question, Psalm 15 goes on to answer it by listing the characteristics of a righteous person. It describes someone who: * Walks blamelessly and does what is righteous. * Speaks the truth from their heart. * Does not slander with their tongue. * Does no wrong to a neighbor. * Does not cast reproach on others. * Holds in contempt those who are vile, but honors those who fear the Lord. * Keeps their oath even when it hurts. * Lends money without usury (interest). * Does not accept a bribe against the innocent. The psalm concludes by stating that "Whoever does these things will never be shaken." It's a powerful and timeless guide for ethical living and a blueprint for a life lived in alignment with God's will.